QUETTA: A fisherman was injured when Pakistan Navy Marines opened fire on him for allegedly entering a restricted zone in the Arabian Sea near Ormara on Wednesday.

Sources said that Abdul Hameed Sadiq, who left for fishing on his boat into the Arabian Sea near the coastal town of Ormara, inadvertently entered the restricted area of Pakistan Navy.

The Marines, who are responsible for guarding the naval base, opened fire on the boat. Sadiq received bullet wounds to his leg, the sources said.

He was shifted to the hospital in Ormara. “His condition is stable and he is out of danger,” a senior Levies official said.

Meanwhile, fishermen in Ormara took to the streets and held a protest. Hundreds of fishermen, carrying placards and banners, chanted slogans and expressed their concern over the incident. They demanded an inquiry into the incident and sought treatment and compensation for the fishermen as his fishing boat had been damaged in the firing.

According to sources, some of the protesting fishermen pelted stones to smash glasses of the offices of local government. However, police and other law enforcement agencies brought the situation under control.

Officials of Pakistan Navy and the local administration held talks with the protesting fishermen. Following the negotiations, which lasted two hours, the fishermen agreed to end their protest after assurance from the officials concerned.

It was agreed that an inquiry would be initiated into the incident and best medical treatment would be provided to the injured.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2017